A Collection of Indian Coins

India, TRIPURA, Rajadhara Manilca (SE 1508-1521/1586-1599), Tankas, SE 1508 (8) (KM 97). Very fine or better (8)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Indian Coins.

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Collection

The coins of Tripura, a Hindu Kingdom in Bengal, are among the most unusual and attractive of the issues struck in the Indian sub-continent. Practically all feature the distinctive crest of a lion, with a dragon's head, prancing either to the left or right. A remarkable feature of the coins is that the majority have not only the name of the king but also his queen. It is generally thought that since about the middle of the 18th Century the coins were struck largely for ceremonial use. This may be true of the very rare gold coins, but silver coins are found in circulated state and probably saw some limited currency use